Slow Burner

2011 release. Alto/soprano saxophonist Sean Khan is a multi-instrumentalist visionary mixing classic jazz and incredible improvisation skill. The band leader of cult British soul-jazz outfit SK Radicals, Sean Khan's debut solo record Slow Burner is soulful, eclectic, stand-out jazz. Paying homage to Khan's jazz heroes the album comes packed with pulsating grooves that mix contemporary urban sounds with classic jazz. Slow Burner features some of the best young jazz musicians on the London and European jazz scene Laurie Lowe (drums), Mike Edmonds (double bass), Susan Allotey (vocals) and Tim Lapthorne (piano). Slow Burner represents Sean Khan's journey back to one of his main loves: jazz improvisation. His playing pays homage to John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Charlie Parker and Wayne Shorter and there is also a vocal tribute to Stevie Wonder. "What is Jazz?" is a political statement delivered via highly recognized San Francisco artist Genevieve Grant (US and UK spoken word community) reciting an essay about what jazz is and what it is becoming. The group sound gives a nod to the contemporary (hip hop, drum n bass) as well as the hard swing of New York and the almost free sound of Europe. On Slow Burner, Khan immerses himself in jazz to produce his finest album to date. Fitting perfectly in to the high-quality Far Out Recordings jazz sound, "Hope Not Hate" stands out as the perfect showcase for Khan's darting, genius sax solos. "Golden Lady" - a brilliant Stevie Wonder re-work - and "Long Way To Go", which both feature the vocal talents of Susan Allotey fit perfectly with further instrumental jazz Khan originals. The album wraps up in style with Khan's take on Shorter and Henderson numbers; his warm and powerful sax making the songs his own. This fine heavyweight jazz effort fits perfectly with the label's legendary jazz-tipped artists such as Azymuth, Joyce and Marcos Valle.